Wednesday
Feb. 19, 2020 / 12:15PM
Transfiguration Sunday (Year A)
Knox United Church
We are all treaty people, and we meet today on Treaty 7 land that we we share with all our relations.
Knox United Church is an Affirming congregation in the United Church of Canada. If you’re lesbian, gay, bi, trans, two-spirited, queer, and/or straight––we affirm and celebrate who you are!
Listen to Jesus and follow him. That's the message of the Transfiguration. –– Pope Francis
The central idea of the Eastern Fathers was that of theosis, the divinization of all creatures, the transfiguration of the world, the idea of the cosmos and not the idea of personal salvation...Only later Christian consciousness began to value the idea of hell more than the idea of the transfiguration and divinization of the world...The Kingdom of God is the transfiguration of the world, the universal resurrection, a new heaven and a new earth. –– Nikolai Berdyaev
In the time of Jesus the mount of transfiguration was on the way to the cross. In our day the cross is on the way to the mount of transfiguration. If you would be on the mountain. you must consent to pass over the road to it. –– Henry Clay Trumbull
All phenomena are literally “appearances,” the outer masks in which the One Reality shows itself forth in our changing universe. The more “material” and solid the appearance, the further is it from reality, and therefore the more illusory it is. –– Annie Besant
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Matthew 17:1-8
Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.
Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, "This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, "Get up and do not be afraid." And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
You are invited to light a candle, make an offering, and eat the bread and grapes. Every part of this table is open to you. Every part of this table is optional.
Let us go in the power of the One who is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine.
We are not alone,
we live in God’s world.
We believe in God:
who has created and is creating,
who has come in Jesus,
the Word made flesh,
to reconcile and make new,
who works in us and others
by the Spirit.
We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church:
to celebrate God’s presence,
to live with respect in Creation,
to love and serve others,
to seek justice and resist evil,
to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death,
God is with us.
We are not alone.
Thanks be to God.
"A New Creed" is an affirmation of faith used widely in the worship services of the United Church of Canada. It was originally adopted in 1968 by the 23rd General Council. Originally known as "A Contemporary Expression of Christian Faith," it began with the line "Man is not alone." It was amended in 1980 to make its language inclusive, and again in 1995 to add the words "to live with respect in Creation."
The creed is not meant to replace the ancient Apostles' Creed or the Nicene Creed, but to act as a supplement to these statements of faith.
Questions? Suggestions?
Contact Greg Glatz at gregglatz@kxcalgary.com or 403-269-8382.
PAX at Knox is an emerging ministry of Knox United Church.